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Baum ahead of Köln clash: “Fight to the death”

For their second away game in a row, FC Augsburg travel to Cologne to take on the Billy Goats. While FC Köln may be bottom of the Bundesliga table, they are currently on a run of three consecutive victories. So it’s great news for FCA that their match-winner in the reverse fixture of this clash is fit once again.

One with his head, one with his right and one with his left. Alfred Finnbogason’s perfect hat-trick against FC Köln in their last tie saw FCA run out 3-0 winners. After the Iceland international missed out of the match vs. HSV due to injury and could only feature for 45 minutes against Gladbach, it’s music to FCA fans’ ears that Manuel Baum confirmed Alfred is able to start on Saturday.

“I’m delighted to get back on the training pitch this week,” said Finnbogason who was had to be cautious during the Gladbach game. “When you haven’t trained, the simpler things don’t come easily. You overthink things. You get your rhythm by training and playing matches.”

1. FC Köln may currently prop up the Bundesliga table but they’ll be raring to face FC Augsburg given their recent run of form. In their last three fixtures, Stefan Ruthenbeck’s side have collected a maximum nine points – as many as they’d managed in the 16 league matches beforehand. “We have to ignore the table,” explained Baum. “We have to analyse our opposition and stay fully focused.”

Baum warns “Can’t run ourselves into trouble”

The 38-year-old is expecting an “extremely difficult game”. In recent games, Köln have found their mojo once again which got them into the Europa League last season – analysed the FCA head coach. Baum has seen how the hosts press aggressively and are quick to turn over play: “We have to be careful with our attacks so we don’t run ourselves into trouble.”

Alfred Finnbogason is also anticipating an “intense and hard-fought battle”. The striker emphasised that: “We have to be a team. We’ll get our chances and can beat anyone.” His head coach is hoping the team haven learnt from the errors they made against Gladbach. “Everyone of us has to fulfil their duties and fight until the end,” demanded Manuel Baum. “If one player makes a mistake, everyone else has to try and help him out.”

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